Digital photographing apparatus and method of controlling the same

ABSTRACT

A digital photographing apparatus includes: an imaging device that generates an image signal by capturing image light; a storage unit that stores a template including a background area and a composite area that indicates at least a part of an image according to the image signal; an image changing unit that changes orientations of the template and the image; an image composing unit that composes the image and the template of which orientations are changed; and a display unit that displays the composed image, wherein the image changing unit determines orientations to be changed of the template and the image according to a rotation amount of the imaging device with respect to an optical axis of the image light and an orientation in which an imaging surface of the imaging device faces. Accordingly, a user may naturally perform a self-photography function using a template.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/592,863, filed Aug. 23, 2012, which claims the benefit of KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2011-0120320, filed on Nov. 17, 2011, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Various embodiments of the invention relate to a digital photographingapparatus and a method of controlling the same.

Digital photographing apparatuses, such as digital cameras orcamcorders, are easy to carry because of miniaturization of the digitalphotographing apparatuses and technological development of, for example,a battery, and thus, the digital photographing apparatuses may easilycapture an image anywhere. Also, the digital photographing apparatusesprovide various functions that may allow even a layman to easily capturean image.

In addition, digital photographing apparatuses provide various functionsto cater to users' diversified tastes, for example, a self-photographyfunction, a function of composing a captured image with apreviously-stored image, i.e., a template, and the like.

SUMMARY

Various embodiments provide a digital photographing apparatus thatenables a user to naturally perform a self-photography function, and amethod of controlling the digital photographing apparatus.

According to an embodiment, there is provided a digital photographingapparatus including: an imaging device that generates an image signal bycapturing image light; a storage unit that stores a template including abackground area and a composite area that shows at least a part of animage according to the image signal; an image changing unit that changesorientations of the template and the image; an image composing unit thatcomposes the image and the template of which orientations are changed;and a display unit that displays the composed image, wherein the imagechanging unit determines orientations to be changed of the template andthe image according to a rotation amount of the imaging device withrespect to an optical axis of the image light and an orientation inwhich an imaging surface of the imaging device faces.

When the orientation in which the imaging surface faces is the same asan orientation in which the display unit faces, the image changing unitmay perform a horizontal symmetry change on the template and the image.

The image composing unit may generate a photographing image obtained bycomposing the image and the template on which changes in orientation arenot performed according to a photographing signal, and when thephotographing image is reproduced in a state where the rotation amountof the imaging device and the orientation of the display unit are thesame as those during a photographing operation, a 180 degrees rotationalsymmetry change may be performed on the photographing image with respectto a center of the photographing image to display the photographingimage on the display unit.

When the orientation in which the imaging surface faces is the same asthe orientation in which the display unit faces and when the rotationamount of the imaging device is equal to or over a reference value, ahorizontal symmetry change may be performed on the image and a verticalsymmetry change is performed on the template.

The image composing unit may generate a photographing image obtained bycomposing the image on which a change in orientation is not performedwith a template on which a 180 degrees rotational symmetry change isperformed according to a photographing signal, and when thephotographing image is reproduced in a state where the rotation amountof the imaging device and the orientation of the display unit are thesame as those during a photographing operation, a 180 degrees rotationalsymmetry change may be performed on the photographing image with respectto a center of the photographing image to display the photographingimage on the display unit.

An upper surface of the display unit may be supported by the digitalphotographing apparatus to rotate.

The display unit may rotate between an orientation in which an imagingsurface of the imaging device faces and an opposite orientation thereof.

The digital photographing apparatus may further include a positionsensor that determines whether the display unit rotates at an angleequal to or over a reference angle.

The digital photographing apparatus may further include a movementsensor that senses a rotation amount of the imaging device with respectto the optical axis.

The digital photographing apparatus may further include a templatedetermination unit that determines whether the composite area of thetemplate has a directional property.

When the composite area has a directional property, the image changingunit may separately perform changes in orientation on the composite areaand the background area.

When the composite area has a directional property, the image changingunit may perform a change in orientation so that the orientation of thecomposite area is the same as an orientation of the image.

The digital photographing apparatus may further include a composite areasetting unit that sets a position of the composite area of the template.

The digital photographing apparatus may further include a memory thatstores the image signal; and a memory controller that controls thestorage of the image signal, wherein the memory controller changes anorder of addresses storing the image signal in the memory according tothe rotation amount of the imaging device with respect to the opticalaxis of the image light and an orientation in which the display unitfaces with respect to the orientation in which the imaging surface ofthe imaging device faces.

The memory controller may store the image signal in the memory by usinga direct memory access (DMA) method.

According to another embodiment, there is provided a method ofcontrolling a digital photographing apparatus, the method including:generating an image signal by capturing image light; selecting atemplate including a background area and a composite area that indicatesat least a part of an image according to the image signal; changingorientations of the template and the image according to a movement ofthe digital photographing apparatus; composing the image and thetemplate of which orientations are changed; and displaying the composedimage.

The movement of the digital photographing apparatus may include arotation amount of an imaging device with respect to an optical axis ofthe image light and an orientation in which a display unit faces withrespect to an orientation in which an imaging surface faces.

When the orientation in which the imaging surface faces is opposite tothe orientation in which the display unit faces, a horizontal symmetrychange may be performed on the template and the image.

When the orientation in which the imaging surface faces is opposite tothe orientation in which the display unit faces and when the rotationamount of the imaging device is equal to or over a reference value, ahorizontal symmetry change may be performed on the image and a verticalsymmetry change is performed on the template.

The method may further include generating a photographing image obtainedby composing the image and the template on which changes in orientationare not performed according to a photographing signal; and when thephotographing image is reproduced in a state where the rotation amountof the imaging device and the orientation of the display unit are thesame as those during a photographing operation, performing a 180 degreesrotational symmetry change on the photographing image with respect to acenter of the photographing image to display the photographing image onthe display unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof withreference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital photographing apparatus,according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show exteriors of the digital photographing apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a central processing unit (CPU), accordingto an embodiment;

FIG. 4A to 4D are a view showing a process of converting an image,according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing the digital photographing apparatus ofFIG. 1 that performs a photographing operation;

FIGS. 6A to 7C are views showing the digital photographing apparatus ofFIG. 1 that performs a photographing operation;

FIGS. 8A to 8C are views showing the digital photographing apparatus ofFIG. 1 that performs an image reproducing operation;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing the digital photographing apparatus ofFIG. 1 that performs a photographing operation;

FIGS. 10A to 11D are views showing the digital photographing apparatusof FIG. 1 that performs a photographing operation, according to anotherembodiment;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing a digital photographing apparatusthat performs an image reproducing operation, according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a digital photographing apparatus thatperforms a photographing operation, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a view showing a digital photographing apparatus thatperforms a photographing operation, according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 15A to 15C are a view for describing a method of setting atemplate, according to an embodiment; and

FIGS. 16A to 21 are flowcharts showing a method of controlling a digitalphotographing apparatus, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the invention will be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of theinvention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as being limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. In thedrawings, like reference numerals denote like elements. Also, whiledescribing the invention, detailed descriptions about related well-knownfunctions or configurations that may diminish the clarity of the pointsof the invention are omitted.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Hereinafter, the invention will be described in detail by explainingexemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the attacheddrawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the sameelement and the detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital photographing apparatus 1,according to an embodiment. FIGS. 2A and 2B show exteriors of thedigital photographing apparatus 1 of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2B, the digital photographing apparatus 1includes a lens 101, a lens driving unit 102, a lens position detectingunit 103, a CPU 104, an imaging device control unit 105, an imagingdevice 106, an analog signal processor 107, an analog/digital (A/D)converter 108, an image input controller 109, a digital signal processor(DSP) 110, a compression/decompression unit 111, a display controller112, a display unit 113, a movement sensor 114, a position sensor 115, astorage unit 116, a media controller 117, a memory card 118, a flash121, and a manipulation unit 124.

The lens 101 includes a focus lens and a zoom lens. The lens 101 mayperform a function of controlling a zoom magnification by driving thezoom lens, and may perform a function of controlling a focus by drivingthe focus lens.

The lens driving unit 102 drives the zoom lens and the focus lens underthe control of the CPU 104. The lens driving unit 102 may include aplurality of motors for driving the zoom lens and the focus lens.

The lens position detecting unit 103 detects positions of the zoom lensand the focus lens and transmits a detection result to the CPU 104.

The CPU 104 controls an entire operation of the digital photographingapparatus 1. The CPU 104 may receive manipulation signals from themanipulation unit 124 and transmit commands corresponding to themanipulation signals to components of the digital photographingapparatus 1.

The imaging device control unit 105 generates a timing signal andtransmits the timing signal to the imaging device 106, and thus,controls an imaging operation of the imaging device 106. Also, ifaccumulation of charges in each scan line of the imaging device 106 isfinished, the imaging device control unit 105 controls the imagingdevice 106 to sequentially read an image signal.

The imaging device 106 captures a subject's image light that has passedthrough the lens 101 to generate an image signal. The imaging device 106may include a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices arranged ina matrix array, charge transfer lines for transmitting charges from thephotoelectric conversion devices, and the like.

The analog signal processor 107 removes noise from the image signal readby the imaging device 106 or amplifies a magnitude of the image signalto an arbitrary level. The A/D converter 108 converts an analog imagesignal that is output from the analog signal processor 107 into adigital image signal.

The image input controller 109 processes the image signal output fromthe A/D converter 108 so that an image process may be performed on theimage signal in each subsequent component. The image signal output fromthe image input controller 109 may be temporarily stored in, forexample, a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) included inthe storage unit 116.

The CPU 104 or the DSP 110 perform auto white balance (AWB) processing,auto exposure (AE) processing, and auto focus (AF) processing on theimage signal output from the image input controller 109.

The DSP 110 performs a series of image signal processing operations,such as gamma correction, on the image signal output from the imageinput controller 109 to create a live view image or a captured imagethat is displayable on the display unit 113.

The compression/decompression unit 111 performs compression ordecompression on an image signal on which image signal processing hasbeen performed. Regarding compression, the image signal is compressedin, for example, JPEG compression format or H.264 compression format. Animage file, including image data generated by the compressionprocessing, is transmitted to the media controller 117, and the mediacontroller 117 stores the image file in the memory card 118.

The display controller 112 controls an image to be output by the displayunit 113. The display unit 113 displays various images, such as acaptured image or a live view image, various setting information, andthe like. The display unit 113 and the display controller 112 mayinclude a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an LCD driver, respectively.However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the display unit 113and the display controller 112 may include, for example, an organiclight-emitting diode (OLED) display and a driving unit thereof,respectively.

The display unit 113 of the current embodiment may be supported by abody in such a way that a part of the display unit 113 may rotate withrespect to the body, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. For example, a part ofan upper surface of the display unit 113 may be coupled to the body by ahinge structure. The hinge structure may include a first coupling unit119 disposed adjacent to the display unit 113 and a second coupling unit120 disposed adjacent to the body, and the first coupling unit 119 maybe supported to rotate with respect to the second coupling unit 120.

The display unit 113 may rotate between an orientation in which animaging surface of the imaging device 106 faces (a state of FIG. 2B) andan opposite orientation thereof (a state of FIG. 2A) based on the hingestructure. In the current embodiment, the upper surface of the displayunit 113 is supported by the digital photographing apparatus 1 torotate, and thus, the display unit 113 may rotate upward the body of thedigital photographing apparatus 1. However, the invention is not limitedthereto, and the display unit 113 may rotate in a direction in which thehinge structure is formed.

The movement sensor 114 senses a movement of the digital photographingapparatus 1, generates a sensing signal according to the sensedmovement, and transmits the sensing signal to the CPU 104. The movementsensor 114 may sense an amount by which the imaging device 106 rotateswith respect to an optical axis of image light (hereinafter, referred toas a rotation amount of the imaging device 106). For example, anacceleration sensor may be used as the movement sensor 114.

The acceleration sensor includes a fixed conductor and a movableconductor. The acceleration sensor senses a change of velocity occurringunder a range of an acceleration of gravity g when the digitalphotographing apparatus 1 in which the acceleration sensor is installedmoves, and thus, the digital photographing apparatus 1 generates data byusing the change. The CPU 104 may calculate an inclined angle by usingthe generated data. The digital photographing apparatus 1 of the currentembodiment uses data regarding clockwise or counterclockwise movementwith respect to an optical axis from among movements sensed by theacceleration sensor. Thus, the digital photographing apparatus 1 mayproperly perform a change in orientation with respect to an imageaccording to an angle at which the display unit 113 is rotated and maydisplay the image on which the change is performed.

The position sensor 115 senses a state of the display unit 113,generates a state signal according to the sensed state of the displayunit 113, and transmits the state signal to the CPU 104. The positionsensor 115 determines whether the display unit 113 is in a normal state(see FIG. 2A) in which the display unit 113 is in an oppositeorientation to the imaging surface of the imaging device 106 or thedisplay unit 113 is in a flipped state (see FIG. 2B) in which thedisplay unit 113 is in the same orientation as the imaging surface ofthe imaging device 106. For example, a hole sensor may be used as theposition sensor 115. If the display unit 113 rotates at an angle equalto or over a reference angle with respect to the body, the positionsensor 115 senses a state of the display unit 113 as a flipped state.For example, if the display unit 113 rotates at an angle equal to orover 150° based on when the display unit 113 faces an oppositeorientation to the imaging surface of the imaging device 106, theposition sensor 115 may determine that the display unit 113 is in aflipped state. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and theangle may be modified in various ways.

When a hole sensor is used as the position sensor 115, if the displayunit 113 is flipped, output is changed in response to magnetic force.The CPU 104 senses the output to determine whether the display unit 113is in a flipped state.

The storage unit 116 stores various data and signals. The storage unit116 may temporarily store information regarding an image to be displayedon the display unit 113 and may store an executable program forcontrolling the digital photographing apparatus 1 and various managementinformation.

The storage unit 116 may store a template to be composed with a capturedimage. The template is an image used to compose with an image capturedby a user. The template includes a background area and a composite areafor displaying at least a part of an image according to a captured imagesignal.

The storage unit 116 of the current embodiment may include a memory forstoring an image signal and a memory controller for controlling storageof the image signal. The memory controller may control input and outputof the image signal by using a direct memory access method. In thisregard, the memory controller may determine a method of inputting andoutputting the image signal according to an orientation in which thedisplay unit 113 faces, that is, a state of the display unit 113, arotation amount of the imaging device 106, and the like. An operation ofthe memory controller will be described in detail with reference to FIG.4.

The flash 121 radiates light on a subject during a photographingoperation.

The manipulation unit 124 is a unit through which a user inputs variouscommands for manipulating the digital photographing apparatus 1. Themanipulation unit 124 may include various buttons such as a shutterrelease button, a main switch, a mode dial, a menu button, or the like.

In FIG. 1, the lens 101 is formed integrally with the body, but theinvention is not limited thereto. For example, the digital photographingapparatus 1 may have a structure in which a lens module including thelens 101, the lens driving unit 102, and the lens position detectingunit 103 are detachably attached to the body.

When the digital photographing apparatus 1 has a structure in which thelens module is detachably attached to the body, the lens module mayinclude a separate control unit. The control unit included in the lensmodule may perform driving and position detecting of the lens 101according to a command from the CPU 104 of the body.

Also, although not shown in FIG. 1, the digital photographing apparatus1 may further include a shutter, an aperture, and the like. FIG. 1 showsonly components necessary for describing the embodiments of theinvention, and the digital photographing apparatus 1 may further includevarious other components.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the CPU 104, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the CPU 104 includes a main control unit 200, animage changing unit 201, an image composing unit 202, a templatedetermination unit 203, and a composite area setting unit 204.

The main control unit 200 controls operations of components of the CPU104 and the digital photographing apparatus 1.

The image changing unit 201 changes an orientation of a template, whichis selected from the templates stored in the storage unit 116, and acaptured image. The change in orientation may include a verticalsymmetry change, a horizontal symmetry change, and a 180 degreesrotational symmetry change.

The image changing unit 201 may determine whether to change orientationsof an image and a template according to the rotation amount of theimaging device 106, and when the orientations of the image and thetemplate are changed, the image changing unit 201 may determineorientations in which the image and the template are changed. Also, theimage changing unit 201 may determine whether to change orientations ofan image and a template according to a state of the display unit 113,that is, according to whether the display unit 113 is flipped or not,and when the orientations of the image and the template are changed, theimage changing unit 201 may determine orientations in which the imageand the template are changed.

When a user does not use a template, the image changing unit 201performs a change in orientation only with respect to an image. When theuser uses a template, the image changing unit 201 performs a change inorientation with respect to an image and the template separately.

The image composing unit 202 composes an image and a template, of whichan orientation is changed respectively. During the composing of theimage and the template, a captured image is displayed only on acomposite area, and an image of a background area of the template isdisplayed on the other area.

When a user uses a template, the template determination unit 203determines whether a composite area has a directional property in theset template. In this regard, the directional property refers to a shapeof the composite area that does not change even when the composite areais rotated. For example, when the composite area has a circular shape,the template determination unit 203 determines that the composite areadoes not have a directional property. On the contrary, when thecomposite area has a heart shape, a star shape, or the like, thetemplate determination unit 203 determines that the composite area has adirectional property.

When the template determination unit 203 determines that the compositearea of the set template has a directional property, the templatedetermination unit 203 transmits a determination result to the imagechanging unit 201.

The image changing unit 201 may perform a change in orientation withrespect to a background area and the composite area of the set templateaccording to the determination result of the template determination unit203 in terms of a change in orientation of the template. When thetemplate determination unit 203 determines that the composite area ofthe set template has a directional property, the image changing unit 201performs a change in orientation with respect to the background area andthe composite area separately. That is, the image changing unit 201 mayperform a change in orientation so as to maintain the directionalproperty of the composite area. In other words, the image changing unit201 may perform a change in orientation so that an orientation of thecomposite area corresponds to an orientation of an image to be composed.When the template determination unit 203 determines that the compositearea of the set template does not have a directional property, the imagechanging unit 201 performs a change in orientation with respect to thebackground area and the composite area in the same way.

The composite area setting unit 204 sets a position of the compositearea of the template. A user may set a desired position of the compositearea by adjusting the position of the composite area via themanipulation unit 124. Also, when there are candidate composite areashaving various shapes, a user may select a composite area having adesired shape and set the composite area in a desired position.

In the current embodiment, the CPU 104 includes the image changing unit201, the image composing unit 202, the template determination unit 203,and composite area setting unit 204, but the invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the DSP 110 may include all the above-describedcomponents of the CPU 104, or the CPU 104 may include some of thecomponents and the DSP 110 may include the rest.

Hereinafter, conversion of an image will be described.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are views showing a process of converting an image,according to an embodiment. FIGS. 4A to 4D show various changes inorientation of an image signal generated by being captured by the DSP110. In FIGS. 4A to 4D, an image with 224 pixels across and 10 pixelsdown contains a total of 2240 pixels.

For ease of understanding the current embodiment, it is assumed thatimages shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D are memories and a position of each imageis an address of the memory. In other words, the image of FIG. 4A showsa case where a pixel number corresponds to an address number. Also, itis assumed that numbers 0 to 2239 are pixel numbers when FIG. 4A is areference image.

Based on the above-described assumption, referring to the image of FIG.4A, a subject A and a subject B are photographed and stored in thememory as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D. In other words, data of pixels 0 to223 are stored in areas corresponding to addresses 0 to 223 of thememory. Then, data of pixels 224 to 337 are sequentially stored in areashaving subsequent address values of the memory. As described above, dataof from a left upper pixel to a right lower pixel are sequentiallystored in order of increasing address of the memory. That is, the orderof data to be input is the same as the order of addresses to be storedin the memory.

The memory controller may allow a captured image to be displayed on thedisplay unit 113 in a state where an orientation of the captured imageis maintained by sequentially reading the image signal stored as shownin FIG. 4A in order of increasing address. In other words, the memorycontroller allows the order of data of the image to be input to be thesame as the order of data of the image to be output.

Hereinafter, a case where a horizontal symmetry change is performed onan image will be described.

The image of FIG. 4B shows a case where a horizontal symmetry change isperformed on an image captured as shown in the image of FIG. 4A.Referring to the image of FIG. 4B, data of pixels 0 to 223 are stored inareas corresponding to the last 224 addresses of the memory. In otherwords, data of pixels 0 to 223 are stored in areas corresponding toaddresses 2016 to 2239 of the memory. Then, data of pixels 224 to 447 tobe input next are stored in areas corresponding to addresses 1792 to2015 of the memory. As described above, when the horizontal symmetrychange is performed on an image, an order of data of pixels is inversedin a unit of a horizontal line, and then the data is stored in thememory.

The memory controller may allow a captured image reversed vertically tobe displayed on the display unit 113 by sequentially reading the imagesignal stored as shown in the image of FIG. 4B in order of increasingaddress of the memory.

Hereinafter, a case where a vertical symmetry change is performed on animage will be described.

The image of FIG. 4C shows a case where a vertical symmetry change isperformed on an image captured as shown in the image of FIG. 4A.Referring to the image of FIG. 4C, data of pixels 0 to 223 are stored inareas corresponding to the first 224 addresses of the memory. However,data of a pixel having a large number is stored in an area correspondingto a low address from among the 224 addresses. Then, data of pixels 224to 447 to be input next are stored in areas corresponding to addresses224 to 447 of the memory. However, similar to the previous line, data ofpixels having large numbers are stored in areas corresponding to lowaddresses from among the 224 addresses. As described above, when thevertical symmetry change is performed on an image, an order of data ofpixels is inversed in a unit of a vertical line, and then the data isstored in the memory.

The memory controller may allow a captured image that is reversedhorizontally to be displayed on the display unit 113 by sequentiallyreading the image signal stored as shown in the image of FIG. 4C inorder of increasing address of the memory.

Hereinafter, a case where a 180 degrees rotational symmetry change isperformed on an image will be described. The image of FIG. 4D shows acase where a 180 degrees rotational symmetry change is performed on animage captured as shown in the image of FIG. 4A. Referring to the imageof FIG. 4D, data of pixels 0 to 223 are stored in areas corresponding tothe last 224 addresses of the memory. In other words, data of pixels 0to 223 are stored in areas corresponding to addresses 2016 to 2239 ofthe memory. However, data of pixels having large numbers are stored inareas corresponding to low addresses from among the 224 addresses. Then,data of pixels 224 to 447 to be input next are stored in areascorresponding to addresses 1792 to 2015 of the memory. However, similarto the previous line, data of pixels having large numbers are stored inareas corresponding to low addresses from among the 224 addresses. Asdescribed above, when the 180 degrees rotational symmetry change isperformed on an image as shown in the image of FIG. 4D, values of theaddresses of the memory storing data of pixels are opposite to thevalues of the addresses of the memory shown in the image of FIG. 4A.

The memory controller may allow a captured image reversed horizontallyto be displayed on the display unit 113 by sequentially reading theimage signal stored as shown in the image of FIG. 4D in order ofincreasing address of the memory.

The above-described change in orientation and storing of the pixels (oran image) may be performed by the above-described storage unit 116. Thememory controller may store data of a pixel, that is, an image signal,by using a direct memory access (DMA) method. In other words, the memorycontroller receives information regarding a state of the display unit113 from the CPU 104 and changes addresses of the memory storing data ofthe image signal according to the received information to perform achange in orientation on an image. In this regard, the state of thedisplay unit 113 may be a rotation amount of the imaging device 106 withrespect to an optical axis and a flipped state of the display unit 113.

Hereinafter, the invention will be described with reference to thedescriptions with regard to the above embodiments.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are views showing the digital photographing apparatus 1that performs a photographing operation. Referring to FIG. 5A, a subjectA′ and a subject B′ are captured by the digital photographing apparatus1. Referring to FIG. 5B, images A and B obtained by capturing thesubjects A′ and B′ are displayed on the display unit 113. In the currentembodiment, in order to distinguish real subjects from subjects ofcaptured images, the subjects of the captured images are represented byA and B, and the real subjects are represented by A′ and B′.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, the digital photographing apparatus 1 is in ageneral state, that is, a state where a rotation amount of the imagingdevice 106 is close to 0, which is less than a reference value, and thedisplay unit 113 is in an unflipped state, and thus, an orientation ofan image does not need to be changed.

FIGS. 6A to 7C are views showing the digital photographing apparatus 1that performs a photographing operation.

Referring to FIG. 6A, the display unit 113 is in a flipped state. Arotation amount of the imaging device 106 is less than a referencevalue. An image captured in a state where the display unit 113 is notflipped is shown in FIG. 5B. When the display unit 113 is flipped, if achange in orientation is not performed on an image, the image is asshown in FIG. 6A.

However, a state where the display unit 113 is flipped means that a userhas the same orientation as a subject, and thus, the user may feelinconvenienced due to a captured image displayed upside down.

Referring to FIG. 6B, a horizontal symmetry change is performed on acaptured image. Thus, a user may naturally perform the horizontalsymmetry change in orientation when performing a self-photographyfunction.

The image displayed on the display unit 113 of FIG. 6B is reversedhorizontally compared to an image to be actually captured (see FIG. 5B).Accordingly, when the display unit 113 is flipped, a vertical symmetrychange in orientation as well as the horizontal symmetry change inorientation may be performed on the image.

However, when the vertical symmetry change is additionally performed onthe image, a direction in which the digital photographing apparatus 1moves is opposite to a direction in which the image disposed on thedisplay unit 113 moves so that a user may not easily use the digitalphotographing apparatus 1. For example, when the vertical symmetrychange is additionally performed on the image, it is assumed that anorientation of the digital photographing apparatus 1 is changed to facethe subject B′. When a user having the same orientation as the subjectsA′ and B′ sees the display unit 113, the user may feel as if the displayunit 113 moves to the left and a captured image moves to the right.Accordingly, when the display unit 113 is flipped, it is more naturalfor the user to maintain a state of the image reversed horizontally.That is, it is preferable that the image is processed to generate amirror effect.

Hereinafter, a case where a self-photography function is performed usinga template will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the display unit 113 is in an unflipped state. Arotation amount of the imaging device 106 is less than a referencevalue. Referring to FIG. 7A, a user sets a template to be used, andthus, the template is displayed on the display unit 113. The templateincludes a composite area 300 represented as a circle.

Although a user is photographing the subjects A′ and B′, only a partpositioned in the composite area 300 in a captured image may bedisplayed. Accordingly, an image A of the subject A′ is displayed on thecomposite area 300, while an image B of the subject B′ is hidden by abackground area and thus is not displayed.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the display unit 113 is in a flipped state, asshown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. A rotation amount of the imaging device 106 isless than a reference value.

As described above, when the display unit 113 is flipped, a horizontalsymmetry change needs to be performed on a captured image. Accordingly,images A and B of the subjects A′ and B′ are positioned as representedby dashed lines.

However, if a change in orientation is not performed on a template, thecomposite area 300 is positioned at a left lower side (corresponding toa right upper side when the display unit 113 is in a flipped state) ofthe display unit 113. Accordingly, unlike FIG. 7A, the image A of thesubject A′ is not displayed on the composite area 300 as shown in FIG.7B.

Referring to FIG. 7C, a horizontal symmetry change is performed on thetemplate, similar to the captured image. That is, a change is performedon both the template and the image to generate a mirror effect.Accordingly, a position of the composite area 300 is changed from aright upper side to a right lower side on the display unit 113 shown inFIG. 7C. Then, the image of the subject A′ is displayed in the compositearea 300.

As such, a change in orientation is performed on the template set by auser as well as the captured image according to the state of the displayunit 113 and the rotation amount of the imaging device 106, and thus,the user may naturally perform a self-photography function.

FIGS. 8A to 8C are views showing the digital photographing apparatus 1that performs an image reproducing operation.

Referring to FIGS. 8A to 8C, if the subject A′ is photographed using atemplate, the photographed subject A′ is as shown in FIG. 8A. Then, if auser presses a shutter-release button of the digital photographingapparatus 1 to apply a photographing signal, an image is captured.

When the image is captured, the captured image is generated by composingan image captured by the imaging device 106 and a template in a statewhere changes in orientation are not performed on the image and thetemplate. That is, unlike an image displayed on the display unit 113that is in a flipped state, a captured image may be generated bycomposing an image and a template on which horizontal symmetry changesare not performed.

A captured image 400 is stored as shown in FIG. 8B. In other words, inthe captured image 400, a composite area 300 of the template ispositioned at a left lower side and an image A of the subject A′ ispositioned in the composite area 300.

If an image is captured, the digital photographing apparatus 1 displaysa quick-view image on the display unit 113. The quick-view image is animage that is temporarily displayed so that a user may verify thecaptured image.

As shown in FIG. 7C, when an image and a template are reversed onlyvertically to be displayed on the display unit 113, an image reversedvertically is displayed as a live-view image compared to an image to beactually captured. However, the quick-view image is an image that isprovided for a user to verify an image that is actually captured.Accordingly, when an image is captured in a state where the display unit113 is flipped, it is preferable that the quick-view image is displayedas shown in FIG. 8B.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 8C, the quick-view image is displayed aftercapturing the image. If a state of the display unit 113 and a rotationamount of the imaging device 106 are the same as those when the image iscaptured, an image of which orientation is reversed horizontally,compared to a live-view image, should be displayed. The quick-view imageshown in FIG. 8C is an image on which a 180 degrees rotational symmetrychange is performed based on a stored captured image.

As described above, when the display unit 113 is in a flipped state anda rotation amount of the imaging device 106 is less than a referencevalue, a horizontal symmetry change should be performed on both thelive-view image and the template to display the live-view image and thetemplate. Also, when the quick-view image is displayed after the imageis captured, if the digital photographing apparatus 1 is in the samestate as described above, the captured image on which a 180 degreesrotational symmetry change is performed should be displayed.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are views showing the digital photographing apparatus 1that performs a photographing operation. Referring to FIG. 9A, subjectsA′ and B′ are photographed by the digital photographing apparatus 1.Referring to FIG. 9B, images A and B of the subjects A′ and B′ aredisplayed on the display unit 113.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a case where a user is holding the digitalphotographing apparatus 1 upside down, that is, where a rotation amountof the imaging device 106 is close to 180 degrees, which is equal to orover a reference value, and the display unit 113 is not flipped. Sincethe imaging device 106 is rotated 180 degrees, a captured image isrotated 180 degrees, and thus the same effect as if the image is rotated180 degrees is achieved, as compared to when the imaging device 106 isin a normal state. However, because the imaging device 106 is rotated,the display unit 113 is rotated 180 degrees, and thus, a user may notsense an effect as if an image is rotated.

FIGS. 10A to 11D are views showing the digital photographing apparatus 1of FIG. 1 that performs a photographing operation, according to anotherembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the display unit 113 is in a flipped state. Arotation amount of the imaging device 106 is equal to or over areference value. For example, the reference value may be 150 degrees.However, the invention is not limited thereto. The reference value maybe determined to be an arbitrary value that allows a user to sense as ifthe digital photographing apparatus 1 is reversed vertically.

An image captured in a state where the display unit 113 is not flippedis as shown in FIG. 9B. When the display unit 113 is flipped, if achange in orientation is not performed on the image, the image isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 10A.

However, a state where the display unit 113 is flipped means that a userhas the same orientation as a subject, and thus, the user may feelinconvenienced due to a captured image being displayed upside down.

Referring to FIG. 10B, a horizontal symmetry change is performed on acaptured image. Thus, a user may naturally perform the horizontalsymmetry change when performing a self-photography function. In thisregard, as described above, it is preferable that the user does notperform an additional horizontal reversal on an image when the user isnaturally performing the self-photography function.

Hereinafter, an embodiment where a self-photography function isperformed using a template will be described with reference to FIGS. 11Ato 11D.

Referring to FIG. 11A, the display unit 113 is in an unflipped state. Arotation amount of the imaging device 106 is equal to or over areference value. Referring to FIG. 11A, a user sets a template to beused, and thus, the template is displayed on the display unit 113. Thetemplate includes a composite area 300 represented as a circle.

The template used in the current embodiment is the same as the templateused in FIGS. 7A to 8C. In this regard, unlike a captured image, thetemplate is displayed regardless of the rotation of the imaging device106. In other words, the template stored in the storage unit 116 isdisplayed as it is on the display unit 113.

Since the composite area 300 is positioned at a right upper side in thetemplate used in the current embodiment, the template is displayed asshown in FIG. 11A. A user is photographing subjects A′ and B′, but onlya part positioned in the composite area 300 of a captured image may bedisplayed. However, in FIG. 11A, both images A and B of the subjects A′and B′ are hidden by a background area, and thus, the image A to becomposed with the template may not be positioned in the composite area300.

Referring to FIG. 11B, in order for a user to naturally perform aphotographing operation by using a template, the template ishorizontally reversed 180 degrees to be displayed on the display unit113. Thus, similar to a case where a user holds the digitalphotographing apparatus 1 in a general direction to perform aphotographing operation, the user may perform a photographing operationusing the template. In other words, the image A is positioned in thecomposite area 300.

Referring to FIG. 11C, the display unit 113 is in a flipped state asshown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. A rotation amount of the imaging device 106is equal to or over a reference value.

As described above, when the display unit 113 is flipped, a horizontalsymmetry change needs to be performed on a captured image. Accordingly,images A and B of subjects A′ and B′ are positioned as represented bydashed lines.

However, if a change in orientation is not performed on the template,the composite area 300 is positioned as it is at a right upper side ofthe display unit 113. Accordingly, unlike FIG. 11B, there is a problemthat the image A of the subject A′ is not displayed in the compositearea 300.

Referring to FIG. 11D, similarly, a horizontal symmetry change isadditionally performed on a template (this is an additional change sincea 180 degrees rotational change has been performed on the templatebefore flipping the display unit 113). In other words, a change inorientation is performed on a captured image and the template so as toachieve a mirror effect. Accordingly, an orientation of the compositearea 300 is changed from a right upper side to a right lower side on thedisplay unit 113 shown in FIG. 11D. Then, the image A of the subject A′is displayed in the composite area 300.

As such, a change in orientation is performed on the template set by auser as well as the captured image according to a state of the displayunit 113 and a rotation amount of the imaging device 106, and thus, theuser may naturally perform a self-photography function.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing the digital photographing apparatus1 that performs an image reproducing operation, according to anotherembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, if subjects A′ is photographed using atemplate, the photographed subjects A′ is as shown in FIG. 12A. Then, ifa user presses a shutter-release button of the digital photographingapparatus 1 to apply a photographing signal, an image is captured.

When the image is captured, the captured image is generated by composingan image that is captured by the imaging device 106 and on which achange in orientation is not performed with a template on which a 180degrees rotational symmetry change is performed. In other words, unlikean image displayed on the display unit 113 that is in a flipped state, acaptured image may be generated by composing an image on which ahorizontal symmetry change is not performed with a template on which a180 degrees rotational symmetry change is performed.

A captured image 401 is stored as shown in FIG. 12A. In other words, animage, which is in a normal state where the imaging device 106 is notrotated, is stored. Accordingly, in the captured image 401, a compositearea 300 of the template is positioned at a right upper side, and animage A of the subject A′ is positioned in the composite area 300.

If an image is captured, the digital photographing apparatus 1 displaysa quick-view image on the display unit 113. As shown in FIG. 11C, whenthe image is reversed only vertically and the template is reversed onlyhorizontally (a horizontal symmetry change is additionally performed onthe image on which a 180 degrees rotational symmetry change has beenperformed, and consequently, a result as if a vertical symmetry changehas been performed on the image is obtained) to be displayed on thedisplay unit 113, an image reversed horizontally is displayed as alive-view image compared to an image to be actually captured. However,the quick-view image is an image that is provided for a user to verifythat an image is actually captured. Accordingly, when an image iscaptured in a state where the display unit 113 is flipped, it ispreferable that the quick-view image is displayed as shown in FIG. 12A.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 12B, the quick-view image is displayed aftercapturing the image, if a state of the display unit 113 and a rotationamount of the imaging device 106 are the same as those when the image iscaptured, an image of which orientation is reversed horizontally,compared to a live-view image, should be displayed. The quick-view imageshown in FIG. 12B is an image on which a 180 degrees rotational symmetrychange is performed based on a stored captured image.

As described above, when the display unit 113 is in a flipped state anda rotation amount of the imaging device 106 is equal to or over areference value, a horizontal symmetry change should be performed on thelive-view image and a 180 degrees rotational symmetry change should beperformed on the template to display the live-view image and thetemplate. Also, when the quick-view image is displayed after the imageis captured, if the digital photographing apparatus 1 is in the samestate as described above, the captured image on which a 180 degreesrotational symmetry change is performed should be displayed.

FIG. 13 is a view showing the digital photographing apparatus 1 thatperforms a photographing operation, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows various cases where an image is rotated clockwise orcounterclockwise in a state where the display unit 113 is flipped. Whena rotation amount of the imaging device 106 is less than a referencevalue, an image A of a subject A′ is positioned in the composite area300.

In this state, if the digital photographing apparatus 1 is rotatedclockwise (direction 1) or counterclockwise (direction 2), anorientation of an image of a subject is constant. In other words, theimage A is displayed without changing its orientation. Also, even aftera horizontal symmetry change is performed on the image due to flippingof the display unit 113, a template maintains its state. In this regard,when the rotation amount of the imaging device 106 is less than thereference value, the digital photographing apparatus 1 is rotated in thedirection 1 or the direction 2.

When a rotation amount of the digital photographing apparatus 1 isincreased and thus the digital photographing apparatus 1 is furtherrotated in a direction 3 or direction 4, the digital photographingapparatus 1 determines that the rotation amount of the imaging device106 is equal to or over the reference value. Accordingly, a 180 degreesrotational symmetry change should be performed on the template based onwhen the rotation amount of the imaging device 106 is less than thereference value to display the template.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the digital photographing apparatus 1 thatperforms a photographing operation according to another embodiment. Inthe current embodiment, a composite area 301 of a template has adirectional property and is represented by a heart-shaped line. However,the invention is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 14, similar to FIG. 13, a change in orientation isperformed on a captured image and the template according to a rotationamount of the imaging device 106. However, it is preferable that theheart-shaped composite area 301 maintains its orientation that is setinitially. Accordingly, when a change in orientation is performed on thetemplate, a change in orientation is performed on the composite area 301independently of a background area so as to maintain the initially setorientation of the composite area 301. A change in orientation isperformed on the background area in the same manner as previousembodiments.

As described above and shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the display unit113 is in a flipped state, a change in orientation is properly performedon the captured image and the template according to the rotation amountof the imaging device 106 and directional properties of the compositeareas 300 and 301 to display the captured image and the template.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are a view for describing a method of setting atemplate according to an embodiment. FIGS. 15A to 15C show a method ofsetting a template in which a shape, a position, and a size of acomposite area may be separately determined.

Referring to an image of FIG. 15A, a window for setting a template isdisplayed to a user. The storage unit 116 may store composite areas 300to 304 having various shapes, and the stored composite areas 300 to 304are displayed on the display unit 113.

Referring to an image of FIG. 15B, the user selects his or her desiredcomposite area 302, and the selected composite area 302 is displayed inan initial position of the display unit 113. However, the invention isnot limited thereto, and thus the user may touch a certain position ormanipulate the manipulation unit 124 to select a position where thecomposite area 302 is to be initially displayed.

Referring to an image of FIG. 15C, the user may move the composite area302 positioned in a certain position to another position by performing adragging operation on the display unit 113 or by manipulating themanipulation unit 124.

A position or a shape of the composite area 302 may be set in thetemplate by the above-described method.

Also, although not shown in FIGS. 15A to 15C, a size of the compositearea 302 displayed on the display unit 113 according to a user'sselection may vary by a user's manipulation.

In the current embodiment, although a method of setting a shape and aposition of the composite area 302 as desired by a user has beendescribed, the invention is not limited thereto. For example a user maybe able to select a template in which a position or a shape of thecomposite area 302 may not be modified and to use the selected templateas it is.

FIGS. 16A to 21 are flowcharts showing a method of controlling thedigital photographing apparatus 1, according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a user turns on a power source tooperate the digital photographing apparatus 1 (S100). Then, it isdetermined whether a mode of the digital photographing apparatus 1 is aphotographing mode or a reproducing mode (S101). If the mode of thedigital photographing apparatus 1 is a reproducing mode, the method isdescribed with reference to FIG. 21. Otherwise, if the mode of thedigital photographing apparatus 1 is a photographing mode, the digitalphotographing apparatus 1 periodically captures an image to generate alive-view image, and the captured image is displayed on the display unit113 (S102). Then, it is determined whether a template is used during aphotographing operation (S110).

If the template is used during a photographing operation, the templateselected by the user is extracted from the storage unit 116 (S111), andthe image composing unit 202 composes the extracted template with thelive-view image (S112). Then, the composed image is displayed on thedisplay unit 113 (S113). Otherwise, if the template is not used during aphotographing operation, the method proceeds to S120 as shown in FIG.16B.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16B, the CPU 104 determines whether the displayunit 113 is in a flipped state (S120). If the CPU 104 determines thatthe display unit 113 is not in a flipped state, the CPU 104 determineswhether a rotation amount of the imaging device 106 is less than areference value θref (S141). In this regard, since the imaging device106 may be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, an absolute value isused to determine the rotation amount of the imaging device 106regardless of a direction of rotation of the imaging device 106.

If the CPU 104 determines that the rotation amount of the imaging device106 is less than the reference value θref, it is determined that thedigital photographing apparatus 1 is used in a general state, and themethod proceeds to S124. On the other hand, if the CPU 104 determinesthat the rotation amount of the imaging device 106 is equal to or overthe reference value θref, the image changing unit 201 performs a 180degrees rotational symmetry change on the template (S142).

Otherwise, if the CPU 104 determines that the display unit 113 is in aflipped state in S120, the CPU 104 determines whether the rotationamount of the imaging device 106 is less than the reference value θref(S121). If the CPU 104 determines that the rotation amount of theimaging device 106 is less than the reference value θref, it may bedetermined that a self-photography function is performed in a statewhere the display unit 113 is flipped upward. Accordingly, the imagechanging unit 201 performs a horizontal symmetry change on the live-viewimage (S122), and also performs a horizontal symmetry change on thetemplate (S123). On the other hand, if the CPU 104 determines that therotation amount of the imaging device 106 is equal to or over thereference value θref, it may be determined that a self-photographyfunction is performed in a state where the display unit 113 is flippeddownward. Accordingly, the image changing unit 201 performs a horizontalsymmetry change on the live-view image (S130), and performs a verticalsymmetry change on the template (S131).

Next, in S124, the image composing unit 202 composes the live-view imageand the template of which orientations are changed (S124), and thedisplay unit 113 displays the composed image (S125). Then, it isdetermined whether a photographing signal is applied, that is, aphotographing operation is performed (S126). If the photographing signalis not applied, the method returns to S120. If the photographing signalis applied, the method proceeds to S200 as shown in FIG. 17.

By performing the above-described operation, an image composed with thetemplate may be properly displayed according to a state of the displayunit 113 and the rotation amount of the imaging device 106.

Next, referring to FIG. 17, when the photographing signal is applied, ifthe rotation amount of the imaging device 106 is less than the referencevalue θref during a photographing operation (S200), a change inorientation does not need to be performed on the template duringgeneration of a captured image, and thus the method proceeds to S201. Onthe other hand, if the rotation amount of the imaging device 106 isequal to or over the reference value θref during a photographingoperation, the digital photographing apparatus 1 is held upside down bya user, and thus the image changing unit 201 performs a 180 degreesrotational symmetry change on the template (S204).

Then, the image composing unit 202 composes the template of whichorientation is or is not changed with an image captured by the imagingdevice 106 (S201). Then, the composed image is stored in the storageunit 116 (S202), and a quick-view image with regard to the stored imageis generated and displayed on the display unit 113 (S203). If thephotographing operation is finished through the above-describedoperation, the method returns to S102 to display the live-view image.

Hereinafter, a method of displaying a quick-view image (S203) will bedescribed in detail.

Referring to FIG. 18, the CPU 104 determines whether the display unit113 is in a flipped state when displaying the quick-view image (S300).If the CPU 104 determines that the display unit 113 is in a flippedstate, a 180 degrees rotational symmetry change is performed on thequick-view image with respect to a captured image or a stored image(S301). On the other hand, if the CPU 104 determines that the displayunit 113 is not in a flipped state, a change in orientation is notperformed on the quick-view image.

Then, the quick-view image of which orientation is or is not changed isdisplayed on the display unit 113 (S302).

Accordingly, the quick-view image may be properly displayed according toa state of the display unit 113 and a rotation amount of the imagingdevice 106.

Next, a method of setting a template will be described.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a case where a user may not change acomposite area of a template. Referring to FIG. 19, if the userdetermines to use the template and thus performs a proper manipulation,the digital photographing apparatus 1 may display a list of templatesstored in the storage unit 116 (S400).

The user may select any one of the displayed templates (S401), anddisplay the selected template on the display unit 113 (S402).

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a case where a user may change acomposite area of a template. Referring to FIG. 20, if the userdetermines to use the template and thus performs a proper manipulation,the digital photographing apparatus 1 may display a list of compositeareas stored in the storage unit 116 (S410).

The user may select any one of the displayed composite areas (S411), anddisplay the selected composite area in a position selected by the user(S412).

Then, it is determined whether an operation for changing a position ofthe selected composite area is performed (S413). If the operation forchanging the position of the selected composite area is performed, theposition of the selected composite area is changed (S414).

If the position of the composite area is finally determined, a templateaccording to the selected composite area is displayed on the displayunit 113 (S415).

Next, a reproducing mode of the digital photographing apparatus 1 willbe described with reference to FIG. 21.

If it is determined that a mode of the digital photographing apparatus 1is a reproducing mode in S101, the digital photographing apparatus 1executes the reproducing mode (S500), and selects a reproducing imagefrom among stored images (S501).

If the reproducing image is selected, exchangeable image file format(EXIF) information of the selected reproducing image is extracted(S502), and then orientation information from among the extracted EXIFinformation is analyzed (S503).

Then, an orientation of the reproducing image is changed according tothe orientation information, and then the reproducing image is displayedon the display unit 113 (S504). For example, if the orientationinformation includes information indicating that the selectedreproducing image is captured when a user holds the digitalphotographing apparatus upside down, a 180 degrees rotational symmetrychange may be performed on the stored image to reproduce the reproducingimage.

As described above, the digital photographing apparatus 1 according tothe embodiments may enable a user to naturally perform aself-photography function by properly changing orientations of acaptured image, a template, a composite area, etc. according to a stateof the display unit 113 and a rotation amount of the imaging device 106.

The particular embodiments shown and described herein are illustrativeexamples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit thescope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventionalelectronics, control systems, software development and other functionalaspects of the systems may not be described in detail. Furthermore, theconnecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presentedare intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/orphysical or logical connections between the various elements. It shouldbe noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships,physical connections or logical connections may be present in apractical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to thepractice of the invention unless the element is specifically describedas “essential” or “critical”. The words “mechanism”, “element”, “unit”,“structure”, “means”, and “construction” are used broadly and are notlimited to mechanical or physical embodiments, but may include softwareroutines in conjunction with processors, etc. It will also be recognizedthat the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,”“has,” and “having,” as used herein, are specifically intended to beread as open-ended terms of art.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural. In addition, it should be understood that although the terms“first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,these elements should not be limited by these terms, which are only usedto distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, recitation ofranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthandmethod of referring individually to each separate value falling withinthe range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. Finally, the steps of all methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The invention is not limitedto the described order of the steps. The use of any and all examples, orexemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merelyto better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on thescope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Numerous modificationsand adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

The apparatus described herein may comprise a processor, a memory forstoring program data to be executed by the processor, a permanentstorage such as a disk drive, a communications port for handlingcommunications with external devices, and user interface devices,including a display, touch panel, keys, buttons, etc. When softwaremodules are involved, these software modules may be stored as programinstructions or computer readable code executable by the processor on anon-transitory computer-readable media such as magnetic storage media(e.g., magnetic tapes, hard disks, floppy disks), optical recordingmedia (e.g., CD-ROMs, Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs), etc.), and solidstate memory (e.g., random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM),static random-access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmableread-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, thumb drives, etc.). Thecomputer readable recording media may also be distributed over networkcoupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is storedand executed in a distributed fashion. This computer readable recordingmedia may be read by the computer, stored in the memory, and executed bythe processor.

Also, using the disclosure herein, programmers of ordinary skill in theart to which the invention pertains may easily implement functionalprograms, codes, and code segments for making and using the invention.

The invention may be described in terms of functional block componentsand various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized byany number of hardware and/or software components configured to performthe specified functions. For example, the invention may employ variousintegrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processingelements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carryout a variety of functions under the control of one or moremicroprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, where the elementsof the invention are implemented using software programming or softwareelements, the invention may be implemented with any programming orscripting language such as C, C++, JAVA®, assembler, or the like, withthe various algorithms being implemented with any combination of datastructures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements.Functional aspects may be implemented in algorithms that execute on oneor more processors. Furthermore, the invention may employ any number ofconventional techniques for electronics configuration, signal processingand/or control, data processing and the like. Finally, the steps of allmethods described herein may be performed in any suitable order unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. Numerous modifications and adaptations will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in this art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by thefollowing claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined notby the detailed description of the invention but by the followingclaims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as beingincluded in the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a display; a sensor; a memory; an imaging device; and a processor configured to: obtain a first image using the imaging device; display, via the display, the first image in a subarea corresponding to a specified shape and enclosed by a second image; detect, using the sensor, a movement of at least part of the apparatus; change, in response to the movement, an orientation of the subarea enclosed by the second image from a first orientation to a second orientation to produce a composed image; and store the composed image in the memory.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising memory to store one or more indications, each of the one or more indications indicating a corresponding one of one or more specified shapes including the specified shape, wherein the processor is configured to: select the specified shape from the one or more specified shapes in response to a user input with respect to a corresponding one of the one or more indications.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising memory to store one or more images including the second image, and wherein the processor is configured to: select the second image from the one or more images.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: obtain the second image using the imaging device.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: detect the movement of the imaging device as the movement of the at least part of the apparatus.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: change a position of the subarea from a first position to a second position on the display in response to the movement.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: change a position of the subarea from a first position to a second position on the display in response to a user input with respect to the subarea.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: determine an amount of rotation of the at least part of the apparatus associated with the movement; and refrain from changing the orientation based at least in part on a determination that the amount of the rotation does not satisfy a specified value.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: perform, as at least part of the changing, an 180 degrees rotational symmetry change with respect to the first orientation of the subarea based at least in part on a determination that an amount of rotation associated with the movement satisfies a specified value.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: determine the second orientation based at least in part on the orientation of the first image.
 11. A method comprising: obtaining, at an electronic device including a display, a sensor, an imaging device, and a processor, a first image using the imaging device; displaying, via the display, the first image in a subarea corresponding to a specified shape and enclosed by a second image; detecting, using the sensor, a movement of at least part of the electronic device; changing, using the processor, in response to the movement, an orientation of the subarea enclosing the first image and enclosed by the second image from a first orientation to a second orientation; and composing, based at least in part on the movement, the subarea in the second orientation as enclosing the first image and as enclosed by the second image to produce a composed image; and storing the composed image in memory operatively coupled with the electronic device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the electronic device comprises memory to store one or more indications, each of the one or more indications indicating a corresponding one of one or more specified shapes including the specified shape, wherein the displaying comprises: selecting the specified shape from the one or more specified shapes in response to a user input with respect to a corresponding one of the one or more indications.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the detecting comprises: detecting the movement of the imaging device as the movement of the at least part of the electronic device.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the changing comprises: changing a position of the subarea from a first position to a second position on the display in response to the movement.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein the changing comprises: changing a position of the subarea from a first position to a second position on the display in response to a user input with respect to the subarea.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the changing comprises: determining an amount of rotation of the at least part of the electronic device associated with the movement; and refraining from changing the orientation based at least in part on a determination that the amount of the rotation does not satisfy a specified value.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the changing comprises: determining the second orientation based at least in part on the orientation of the first image.
 18. A machine-readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: obtaining, at an electronic device including a display, a sensor, and an imaging device, a first image using the imaging device; displaying, via the display, the first image in a subarea corresponding to a specified shape and enclosed by a second image; detecting, using the sensor, a movement of at least part of the electronic device; changing, in response to the movement, an orientation of the subarea enclosing the first image and enclosed by the second image from a first orientation to a second orientation; and composing, based at least in part on the movement, the subarea in the second orientation as enclosing the first image and as enclosed by the second image to produce a composed image; and storing the composed image in memory operatively coupled with the electronic device. 